NGD: Blackmachine B7 (56k - lol)

Uber Mega · 04-23-2008, 01:36 PM

(I actually got the guitar on Monday afternoon, but haven't had chance to take pictures until now!)

I ordered my B7 in January of 2007, and on Monday the 21st of April I finally took the trip down to London to collect the guitar. It is a 2008 model, handbuilt by Doug Cambell in London under the alias of 'Blackmachine Guitars' (for anyone who doesn't know), and with Bareknuckle pickups handwired in Devon, UK.

(No epic-picstory, sorry

). I'd love to make a little video with it or something for you but as of yet I haven't managed to get anything learnt to actually record!

I took some pictures though, and here's a little review based on first impressions

Playability:
I'm still getting used to 7 strings, this being my first actual 7 string guitar, but the playabilty of the guitar is fantastic and has taken the sting off the transition for me somewhat. The action is very low and fast compared to what i'm used to, and the neck is incredibly comfortable (fairly flat at the back), your hand just glides across the rosewood. The access is much better than I anticipated: the cut is quite deep and the heel is smooth and friendly. This is easier to play than some 6 stringers that I've had, and is strung with 10-59s as I won't be down-tuning past Bb/As. The tension is quite nice on the scale, i'm glad i didn't take it to baritone as i'm not sure I would have really needed it for my style.

Aesthetics:
I've been a longtime PRS fan and owner, and the ebony Blackmachines are really the antithesis of the PRS in terms of looks and statement. No flashy quilts/flames, gold plate hardware or bird inlays...just pure and plain natural woods and oil. It looks very understated and organic, and I've always been drawn to this aspect of Blackmachines in-particular. Unfortunately the pictures don't really give a good idea of how beautiful it is, it even smells like a forest or something I'm glad I chose the cream ivoroid binding aswell, as I think it set's the guitar off nicely (the all black look is just a bit too black for me).

Sound:
The warpigs are mounted directly to the body. They are dark and brutal, aided by the Mahogany and Rosewood i'd imagine. The leads blew me away when I plugged it in though, I can't believe such a thin guitar can sing for so long and so powerfully! It sounds huge. The pickups are pretty high output of course, this is certainly an axe tailored towards metal, but the pickups do clean up quite nicely, albeit still very dark. The bottom string is maybe a tad crazy for my liking with the warpigs, but it could be my loose technique, or that i'm just not used to the 7th string yet...i'll be giving it a fair trial anyway, and maybe look at Nailbombs or something in the future.

Build Quality:
It makes my Ibanez feel cheap and coldly constructed, the guitar is absolutely rock steady but when you pick it up you can see it's been crafted with passion and care has been taken over every little detail. The cutting and and shaping is very precise, looks like he took a lot of time on it. One thing that I am slightly worried about is the amount of clouding on the body of the guitar, in the oil or whatever, it looks kinda greesy and I have not been able to clean it off with a cloth...if Clive reads this then i'd appreciate it if he could get in touch regarding this, incase he had a similar experience with the ebony and oil.

Specs:
- Blackmachine B7, 25.5" scale.
- African ebony top, headstock and fretboard (Tung-oiled)
- Chambered Brazilian mahogany body (40 years old)
- Honduras Rosewood neck (bolt-on) with ebony fillets
- Ivoroid binding (body, neck and headstock)
- Gotoh fixed bridge and Sperzel tuners
- Bareknuckle Warpig 7s
- Paul Gilbert control arrangement with end-pin jack

Anyway, enough rambling, i'll write a proper review of it for Harmony Central or something after the courting period

, but here's some photos I took of it, more are sure to follow!

Randy · 04-23-2008, 01:38 PM

GAS ATTACK!

HighGain510 · 04-23-2008, 01:43 PM

Nice! Props to you for not making a teaser thread saying it was coming in a week and then not taking photos of it for two!

Looks cool.

jammy · 04-23-2008, 01:48 PM

It's arrived at last then!

A total beaut - worth the wait

OrsusMetal · 04-23-2008, 01:48 PM

Very nice! I'd like one just like that!

jammy · 04-23-2008, 01:49 PM

Something I've just noticed - what's with the mis-alignment of the string ferrules on the back?

technomancer · 04-23-2008, 01:50 PM

Looks sweet, though if the oil finish on the top is as bad as some of those pics and your question seem to show I'd be more than a little bit pissed.

Randy · 04-23-2008, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uber Mega

One thing that I am slightly worried about is the amount of clouding on the body of the guitar, in the oil or whatever, it looks kinda greesy and I have not been able to clean it off with a cloth...if Clive reads this then i'd appreciate it if he could get in touch regarding this, incase he had a similar experience with the ebony and oil.[/I]

I'd imagine there's something you're supposed to use, chemically, that works specifically with that finish...

TimSE · 04-23-2008, 01:51 PM

Holy crap

it must be said (from someone would doesnt care for the looks of blackmachines) That thing is fucking lush

sakeido · 04-23-2008, 01:52 PM

oh god oh god oh god oh god
What's up with the binding by the forearm part? It contours down, like there should be a bent top there, but there isn't. Enditol's had it as well.. I'm trying to figure out what its for

FYP666 · 04-23-2008, 01:55 PM

GAS INVASION

It looks amazing!

Nick · 04-23-2008, 01:58 PM

Uber Mega · 04-23-2008, 02:02 PM

Thanks guys, i'm pretty chuffed with it, it's been a long time coming, and patience isn't my strong point

Quote:

Originally Posted by jammy

Something I've just noticed - what's with the mis-alignment of the string ferrules on the back?

I don't know the reason, the majority of BMs i've seen are the same though, maybe something to do with intonation etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sakeido

oh god oh god oh god oh god
What's up with the binding by the forearm part? It contours down, like there should be a bent top there, but there isn't. Enditol's had it as well.. I'm trying to figure out what its for

That's the arm camfer, Doug recommends it now as it supposedly makes playing much more comfortable over long periods. The body slopes rapidly down, it's quite hard to see in my pics. Again, the majority of newer BMs i've seen have it, although some are more noticeable than others, especially with a light binding.

Randy · 04-23-2008, 02:02 PM

The guitar looks ace.

Stitch · 04-23-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jammy

Something I've just noticed - what's with the mis-alignment of the string ferrules on the back?

It follows the intonation track of the string saddles.

Very nice sir! You should totally bring it to Edinburgh. :p

Stitch · 04-23-2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sakeido

oh god oh god oh god oh god
What's up with the binding by the forearm part? It contours down, like there should be a bent top there, but there isn't. Enditol's had it as well.. I'm trying to figure out what its for

If you look in this pic you can see that the binding is quite 'thick'

The body is bound THEN contoured, removing some of the binding. It's kind of like on some Gibsons - the binding is thickest at the joint with the neck where the body is also thickest as less of the maple cap has been contoured away.

I think it looks sweet, personally...

Codyyy · 04-23-2008, 02:07 PM

hooooly crap.

That looks fucking awesome. Video

Stitch · 04-23-2008, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uber Mega

(I actually got the guitar on Monday afternoon, but haven't had chance to take pictures until now!)

I ordered my B7 in January of 2007, and on Monday the 21st of April I finally took the trip down to London to collect the guitar. It is a 2008 model, handbuilt by Doug Cambell in London under the alias of 'Backmachine Guitars' (for anyone who doesn't know)...

Was this intentional?

Austin · 04-23-2008, 02:09 PM

awesome guitar!
In addition to all its other wonderful qualities, I love how the black machine's volume knob is placed away from the bridge a bit (I have large hands).

Mr. S · 04-23-2008, 02:09 PM

kristallin · 04-23-2008, 02:12 PM

Blackmachine = automatic stiff. Those guitars are so friggin' sexy with their understated, sleek look. Definitely on my shortlist of guitars I want to play at least once.

Parka Dez · 04-23-2008, 02:21 PM

Welcome to the brotherhood.

Uber Mega · 04-23-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stitch

Was this intentional?

Backmachine Guitars? nope that was just my crazy hands

Fixed.

Sephiroth · 04-23-2008, 02:36 PM

Oh god!

How much did that run you?

Uber Mega · 04-23-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Oh god!

How much did that run you?

I don't mind saying as it's common knowledge to anyone who emails him. I ordered it back when they were under the old price scheme, so it was £1700 (a B2 was £1500). Shortly after there was a price increase, and I believe there has been another since.

04-23-2008, 01:36 PM	#1
Uber Mega Try my fist! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 1,468 Thanked: 36	NGD: Blackmachine B7 (56k = lol) (I actually got the guitar on Monday afternoon, but haven't had chance to take pictures until now!) I ordered my B7 in January of 2007, and on Monday the 21st of April I finally took the trip down to London to collect the guitar. It is a 2008 model, handbuilt by Doug Cambell in London under the alias of 'Blackmachine Guitars' (for anyone who doesn't know), and with Bareknuckle pickups handwired in Devon, UK. (No epic-picstory, sorry ). I'd love to make a little video with it or something for you but as of yet I haven't managed to get anything learnt to actually record! I took some pictures though, and here's a little review based on first impressions Playability: I'm still getting used to 7 strings, this being my first actual 7 string guitar, but the playabilty of the guitar is fantastic and has taken the sting off the transition for me somewhat. The action is very low and fast compared to what i'm used to, and the neck is incredibly comfortable (fairly flat at the back), your hand just glides across the rosewood. The access is much better than I anticipated: the cut is quite deep and the heel is smooth and friendly. This is easier to play than some 6 stringers that I've had, and is strung with 10-59s as I won't be down-tuning past Bb/As. The tension is quite nice on the scale, i'm glad i didn't take it to baritone as i'm not sure I would have really needed it for my style. Aesthetics: I've been a longtime PRS fan and owner, and the ebony Blackmachines are really the antithesis of the PRS in terms of looks and statement. No flashy quilts/flames, gold plate hardware or bird inlays...just pure and plain natural woods and oil. It looks very understated and organic, and I've always been drawn to this aspect of Blackmachines in-particular. Unfortunately the pictures don't really give a good idea of how beautiful it is, it even smells like a forest or something I'm glad I chose the cream ivoroid binding aswell, as I think it set's the guitar off nicely (the all black look is just a bit too black for me). Sound: The warpigs are mounted directly to the body. They are dark and brutal, aided by the Mahogany and Rosewood i'd imagine. The leads blew me away when I plugged it in though, I can't believe such a thin guitar can sing for so long and so powerfully! It sounds huge. The pickups are pretty high output of course, this is certainly an axe tailored towards metal, but the pickups do clean up quite nicely, albeit still very dark. The bottom string is maybe a tad crazy for my liking with the warpigs, but it could be my loose technique, or that i'm just not used to the 7th string yet...i'll be giving it a fair trial anyway, and maybe look at Nailbombs or something in the future. Build Quality: It makes my Ibanez feel cheap and coldly constructed, the guitar is absolutely rock steady but when you pick it up you can see it's been crafted with passion and care has been taken over every little detail. The cutting and and shaping is very precise, looks like he took a lot of time on it. One thing that I am slightly worried about is the amount of clouding on the body of the guitar, in the oil or whatever, it looks kinda greesy and I have not been able to clean it off with a cloth...if Clive reads this then i'd appreciate it if he could get in touch regarding this, incase he had a similar experience with the ebony and oil. Specs: - Blackmachine B7, 25.5" scale. - African ebony top, headstock and fretboard (Tung-oiled) - Chambered Brazilian mahogany body (40 years old) - Honduras Rosewood neck (bolt-on) with ebony fillets - Ivoroid binding (body, neck and headstock) - Gotoh fixed bridge and Sperzel tuners - Bareknuckle Warpig 7s - Paul Gilbert control arrangement with end-pin jack Anyway, enough rambling, i'll write a proper review of it for Harmony Central or something after the courting period , but here's some photos I took of it, more are sure to follow! __________________ ____________________________________________ Click and visit my Youtube page! ____________________________________________

04-23-2008, 01:38 PM	#2
Randy Argbadh/RHLC© Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Electric City, NY Posts: 7,867 Thanked: 80	GAS ATTACK! __________________ Interested in learning how you can help keep SS.org clean and troll free? Click here.

04-23-2008, 01:50 PM	#7
technomancer Gearus Pimptasticus Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 12,493 Thanked: 84	Looks sweet, though if the oil finish on the top is as bad as some of those pics and your question seem to show I'd be more than a little bit pissed. __________________ Incoming Guitars KxK Sii-7ex - 25.5", ss frets, rosewood/ebony neck, ebony board, black limba wings, figured bubinga top KxK Sii-7 - 25.5", ss frets, white limba neck, ebony board, white limba wings, OFR7, gloss white KxK DCii-6 - 25", ss frets, cocobolo neck & board, limba body, flame koa top

04-23-2008, 01:51 PM	#9
TimSE seasons-end.com Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,735 Thanked: 86	Holy crap it must be said (from someone would doesnt care for the looks of blackmachines) That thing is fucking lush __________________ "When your on stage and you phail one note, are you'll go back and play it again? NO! Coz time for that note is in past, and you need to keep playing song, and there is nothing you can do with that note. But you can fix the song just to play it right to the end, coz if you'll stop the song it would be bigger fail then one or few note fail." - Yevets

04-23-2008, 01:52 PM	#10
sakeido Is a Pastafarian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Calgary AB Posts: 4,867 Thanked: 248	oh god oh god oh god oh god What's up with the binding by the forearm part? It contours down, like there should be a bent top there, but there isn't. Enditol's had it as well.. I'm trying to figure out what its for __________________ _________________________ "Ah, she's built like a steakhouse but she handles like a bistro" - ZB My Soundclick Page

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04-23-2008, 01:43 PM	#3
HighGain510 Cold As Ice Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 8,751 Thanked: 145	Nice! Props to you for not making a teaser thread saying it was coming in a week and then not taking photos of it for two! Looks cool.

04-23-2008, 01:48 PM	#4
jammy ss.org Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: St Helens (Nr Liverpool) UK Posts: 85 Thanked: 4	It's arrived at last then! A total beaut - worth the wait

04-23-2008, 01:48 PM	#5
OrsusMetal OH NOES! ZOMBIES! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,001 Thanked: 9	Very nice! I'd like one just like that!

04-23-2008, 01:49 PM	#6
jammy ss.org Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: St Helens (Nr Liverpool) UK Posts: 85 Thanked: 4	Something I've just noticed - what's with the mis-alignment of the string ferrules on the back?

04-23-2008, 01:55 PM	#11
FYP666 Kick The Gates Open Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Finland Posts: 3,489 Thanked: 28	GAS INVASION It looks amazing! __________________ To bree or to not to breebree?

04-23-2008, 01:58 PM	#12
Nick Stop the Madness! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: glasgow scotland Posts: 3,008 Thanked: 21

04-23-2008, 02:02 PM	#14
Randy Argbadh/RHLC© Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Electric City, NY Posts: 7,867 Thanked: 80	The guitar looks ace. __________________ Interested in learning how you can help keep SS.org clean and troll free? Click here.

04-23-2008, 02:07 PM	#17
Codyyy The Flip-Flopper Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,737 Thanked: 61 $Codyyy is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Codyyy is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Codyyy is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Codyyy is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Codyyy is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Codyyy is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Codyyy is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$	hooooly crap. That looks fucking awesome. Video __________________ Schecter Loomis-7 TOM

04-23-2008, 02:09 PM	#19
Austin ss.org Regular Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 108 Thanked: 4	awesome guitar! In addition to all its other wonderful qualities, I love how the black machine's volume knob is placed away from the bridge a bit (I have large hands).

04-23-2008, 02:09 PM	#20
Mr. S tacos? Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 2,555 Thanked: 29	__________________ Knights that say

04-23-2008, 02:12 PM	#21
kristallin punk'd Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: here Posts: 1,296 Thanked: 21	Blackmachine = automatic stiff. Those guitars are so friggin' sexy with their understated, sleek look. Definitely on my shortlist of guitars I want to play at least once.

04-23-2008, 02:21 PM	#22
Parka Dez ss.org Regular Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: London Posts: 238 Thanked: 20	Welcome to the brotherhood. __________________ www.myspace.com/thesafetyfire

04-23-2008, 02:36 PM	#24
Sephiroth Not a FFVII Fanboy! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Santa Ana, CA Posts: 63 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Oh god! How much did that run you?

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NGD: Blackmachine B7 (56k - lol)